Understanding How a Bill Becomes Law in Congress

1. How Congress Works The Legislative Process

2. A Bill v. A Law Bill- a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not yet been passed, enacted or adopted

3. A Bill v. A Law Law- a bill or act passed by a legislative body

4. Types of Bills • public bill– proposed legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern and application • private bill – a proposed legislative bill that deals with specific private, personal, or local matters rather than general affairs • appropriation bill– legislative motion authorizing the government to spend money

5. Navigating the Legislative Obstacle Course

6. Step 1: An Idea for a Bill Sources: Member(s) of Congress Private Citizen Interest Group Federal Agency White House Governor(s) Mayor(s)

7. Step 2: Writing & Introduction of Bill Senate: • Bill formaly read aloud on floor • Bill then given to clerk • Referred to committee by Steering Committee House: • Bill dropped in hopper • Referred to committee by the Speaker Sen. Smith introduces bill on the Senate floor ~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

8. Step 3: Committee Action • House & Senate committees conduct public hearings • Experts testify • Markup of bills • Committee vote: report favorably, unfavorably, or table bill House Armed Services Committee

9. Step 4: Floor Action - Senate • Party leaders schedule bills for floor debate on the calendar • Unlimited debate • Filibuster- member(s) keep talking to block debate on a bill • Cloture vote by 3/5 of Senators (60) can end filibuster • Floor vote: Roll Call, Standing, Voice Senator Strum Thurman still holds the record for the longest filibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Act

10. Step 4: Floor Action - House • Rules Committee schedules bills on calendar & decides whether amendments may be added • Limited debate • Floor vote: Recorded, Standing, Voice

11. Step 5: Approved Bill Crosses Over to Other House • Approved bill must pass each chamber by a simple majority

12. Step 6: Conference Committee • Members from each chamber meet to reconcile differences in the two bills Senate-House Conference Committee works out details of the 2003 Healthy Forest Restoration Act

13. Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Final Version of the Bill

14. Step 8: President Considers Bill President can: • sign the bill into law • veto bill • pocket veto Note: Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in each house; only 4% of vetos have been overriden

15. Quick Write: Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law. Explain why so few bills become law. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Should the legislative process in Congress be reformed? If yes, what changes would you recommend? If not, why not?

16. Source: http://bigpicture.typepad.com/Date: 5/6/06

17. Title: Breaking the Filibuster is not Enough Source: http://www.republicanvoices.org/may_2005_newsletter.html

18. Title: Imagine there’s no Congress Artist: Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette Date: 6/06/07 Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com/